Radical Islamic militant groups are consolidating their power base across
northern Syria with a reformed al-Qaeda doctrine of governance that seeks to
correct the mistakes made by the organisation in Iraq.

Jabhat al-Nusra, the Syrian group that publicly pledged its allegiance to
al-Qaeda’s commander, Ayman al-Zawahiri, last month, now occupies key roles
in local ruling bodies in Aleppo.

Its writ extends into the neighbouring province of Idlib, far outstripping the
exiled Western-backed Syrian National Coalition in influence.

“If you want something done in this city then go to Jabhat al-Nusra and ask
for it,” a Syrian said in Aleppo last